It is not uncommon to experience an open wound due to an injury, pressure, or poor circulation. Skin ulcers, specifically, take a long time to heal and differentiate them from normal wounds. You should seek ulcer treatments in Manhattan soon since there are high chances of effectively managing the condition before it worsens or causes other complications. Skin ulcers can form anywhere in your body, mainly in the legs, bottom, hips, and mouth or lips.
Read on to understand the main factors about this condition.
Table of Contents
1. You Need to Understand Common Ulcer Symptoms
Skin ulcers are different from ordinary wounds. They are round open sores in your skin and may appear like minor injuries. However, they vary in severity depending on the type. It would be best if you were keen to seek early treatment since ulcers can worsen and become deep wounds that expose your bones and joints. Common ulcer symptoms you can look out for include:
- Itching
- Discoloration
- Scabbing, swelling skin around the ulcer
- Flaky or dry skin around the ulcer
- Bloody, pus-filled, or clear discharge from the wound
- Pain or tenderness
- Foul odor
- Hair loss around the ulcer
2. There are Several Types of Skin Ulcers
You can develop about six types of skin ulcers. These include venous skin ulcers, arterial skin ulcers, neuropathic skin ulcers, pressure ulcers, Buruli ulcers, and stasis dermatitis. Venous skin ulcers are mainly shallow and primarily develop due to poor circulation in the legs. Statis dermatitis also occurs due to poor circulation. The arterial ulcers occur when your arteries fail to deliver oxygenated blood to your lower limb. Neuropathic skin ulcers are mainly due to uncontrolled diabetes. Pressure ulcers will happen when you experience constant friction or pressure on your skin.
3. The Causes of Skin Ulcers Vary
As mentioned earlier, there are several types of skin ulcers. Every ulcer has different underlying causes, ranging from poor circulation to bacterial infections. But in most cases, the ulcers may look like a mild irritation on your skin or discolored skin patches but advance over time. You will notice your skin disintegrating and becoming a shallow wound.
4. Ulcers Are Diagnosed Based on Their Appearance
If you notice your wound is not healing, you should seek an expert diagnosis from your doctor. Your provider reviews your medical history and asks you relevant questions about your symptoms to evaluate the possible underlying causes of your condition. This will help them recommend the best treatment to address your symptoms and the underlying cause.
5. Treatment Varies
Skin ulcer treatment depends on the particular type and your unique symptoms and severity. When you have a small ulcer with no signs of infections, your doctor can advise you on how to treat it at home. You can prevent infections to mild skin ulcers by cleaning the wound and covering it, so it does not leak. But an infected ulcer will need advanced medical treatment. The treatments can include topical or oral antibiotics to manage the bacterial infection, the use of painkillers to relieve pain, or the removal of the dead tissues to facilitate healing.
There is power in knowledge, and you can now evaluate your symptoms and discern your skin ulcer. However, remember to seek expert diagnosis to understand the underlying cause of your condition. Reach out to Elite Veins NY and book your appointment to understand more about skin ulcers.